How to Grow Moon Vine From a Seed

The large, white flowers of the species Ipomoea alba open at night, lending it the common name moon vine. Although the species is technically perennial, it is most commonly grown as an annual and must be started fresh from seed each year in areas where the vines are killed back by frost. Like most morning glory species, moon vine grows easily from seed and will reach a mature height of 15 to 20 feet in one growing season, but the seeds must be scarified or soaked before sowing to hasten germination.

Nail file
Bowl
3-inch peat pots
Potting soil
Perlite

Instructions

- 1
  Start moon vine seeds indoors in peat pots four to six weeks before the last frost in spring.
- 2
  Scarify each moon vine seed using a nail file. Rub the seed with the file to thin the outer hull. Place the seeds in a bowl of warm water. Soak them overnight to soften the hull.
- 3
  Fill 3-inch peat pots with a moistened mixture of equal parts potting soil and perlite. Sow one moon vine seed in each pot to a depth of 1/4 inch.
- 4
  Place the peat pots in a warm, bright location, such as on a sunny porch or near a large window. Maintain temperatures above 68 F at all times.
- 5
  Water each pot with 1/8 cup of water whenever the surface feels dry. Do not let the soil dry out during the germination process.
- 6
  Watch for germination in four to seven days. Keep the soil around the moon vine seedlings evenly moist at all times until after the last frost in spring.
- 7
  Plant the peat pots in a prepared bed in spring as soon as the soil warms to 68 F. Space the pots 12 to 18 inches apart.

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